Status report: June, 2009

As I write the pavilion has been built. I can begin outfitting it for habitation. There are widely available options here in terms of fabrics and furniture. The shell of a washroom has also been built and waiting for outfit.

The new horizon

In my own mind’s eye I visualise the site 5 years later, all grown up and producing. But the distance in time makes it misty. What I can see more clearly is the horizon one year away, and the road leading to it. And I have an actionable plan.

One year away I expect to welcome volunteers who are willing to stay longish periods. Basic comforts will come about. A section in the website will carry all the information they will need.

In about 9 months I hope to have bettered the water security by excavating several hundred feet of swales spread all over the farm. They would realise the strategy of harvesting rain where it falls and directing it into the ground. Currently, water is collected in one place- the pond.

In about 6 months I hope a vegetable patch will steadily produce what the residents need. I hope the nucleus of a nursery begins by then as well.

In about two months I hope the new mini excavator commences work on swales and rain water harvesting structures. Raju and I will be novice operators of the machine. In a fortnight I will have finished constructing a garage for it.

What plans for the next week? I think I will spend it in prayers for a shower to relieve the morale and energy sapping heat. I hope you will send yours too on behalf of all the plants struggling to stay alive at pointReturn.

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7 thoughts on “Status report: June, 2009”

I’m following the posts here as well as on twitter closely…One problem with the twitter though – We miss the thinking process / the emotional highs / lows and photos which you were describing in the posts on website posts….those were more important…because that is what matters in such projects. Twitter gives just the plain updates. Hence, request you to start giving updates and yes – photos etc on the website articles.

I am a follower of point return for a few years and i beleive i can bring in volunteers in regular numbers, i would like to meet you in person and discuss the same. you may mail me at sridhar.lakshmanan@gmail.com or call at 9445384021
Regards
Sridhar

shobhan…
you make a good point. active RWH and recharge is the next major exercise at pointReturn. the problem is, the pond’s floor is impervious clay, in the summer when water is most needed, the windmill has poor supply and the hardpan soil all over the site facilitates rapid runoff.
the solution is to trap rain water where it falls and guide it underground.
-dv

I have read all the articles. I am a regular visitor to your site. I wish your pR to be a success.

I have a question though. When you had rain last year, there was excess run-off from your site. Also any excess pumped by the windmill goes into the network of pipes you have installed. Why not make all these excess water be led into the borewell itself? It will stay there as is and you can use when you want it? you can install a filter ( RWH type) which will clean the water and then let into the borewell.
Let me know what to do you think about it.

We totally understand your pain. Some 8000 of our tree saplings went without watering because the motor failed and the repair service men made mistakes on top of it. But most of these saplings survived with two feeble showers in between.

I read somewhere that plants decide very early whether they can survive or not. They do not waste time and energy growing up into sick adults.

Incidentally, we read a couple of pieces recently that lifted our spirit.